PPL Electric Utilities is proposing to build a major new regional transmission line, part of which may run through the Poconos.

The definite route for the plan has not been determined, but a PPL official said today that the line will not run through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

The company says the project would make electric service more reliable and enhance the security of the electric grid while reducing the cost of electricity for consumers.

As currently proposed, the 500-kilovolt line would run about 725 miles from western Pennsylvania into New York and New Jersey, and also south into Maryland.

The plan would enable the development of new power plants fueled by natural gas, according to a news release from PPL.

The project is in the preliminary planning stages. If approved and built as proposed, the line would help replace supplies of electricity that will be lost when existing power plants retire. It also would help prevent power shortages during periods of extremely high demand.

The company has begun a comprehensive regional planning effort to determine the best route and final details of the proposed line.

PPL will conduct public outreach and consider public input when making a final route selection.

According to preliminary estimates, the cost of the project would be between $4 billion and $6 billion, PPL says.

The preliminary timeline envisions completion of the project between 2023 and 2025, assuming all necessary approvals are received and construction begins in 2017. Approvals are needed from various regulatory and regional planning entities.

PPL Electric Utilities will be meeting with appropriate state and federal agencies as planning for the project moves forward. Further details of the project will be made public as they become available, PPL said.